Folding table



Feb. 21, 1928. 1,659,840

H. D. SMITH FOLDING TABLE Filed March 23, 1926 mammal;

Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

HJNITEDSTATES HENRY D. SMITH, OELOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

FOLDING TABLE.

7 Application filed March 23, 1926. Serial No. 96,695.

This invention is a folding table for use by campers and the like; and it is the object of the invention to fold the table into a compact box-like receptacle carrying all parts of the table and forming a container for cooking and eating utensils or other camping'equipment, and adapted for convenient transportation on the running board of a vehicle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a table which may be quickly set up for use without the need of tools, and which when in operative position may form either a combined table and benches, or comfortable camp chairs. a g It is a still further object of the invention to provide an extremely sturdy but simple construction which will form rigid and substantial camping furniture adapted to safely carry any weight to which it may be subjected in the ordinary course of use as camping equipment.

The invention will be readily understood from the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspecive view showing the table in use.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing use of the construction as camp chairs.

' Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device in folded position.

Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse sections on the lines H and 5-5 of Fig. 1.

' connected by side pieces 4 The improved construction comprises a box-like receptacle having ends 1 connected by top and bottom 2 and 3 which extend the width of the receptacle, and having the lower portions of the sides of the end pieces receptacle open between the upper edges of the side pieces and the underside of the top.

The top 2 is of a size to form the center panel of a table, and leaves 5 are hinged at 6 to the respective side edges of top 2, so that they may either extend outwardly in the plane of the top and complete the table as shown in Fig. 1, or may swing downwardly against the receptacle to closethe openings above side pieces l as shown in Fig. 3.

In order to releasably fix the leaves 5 in their extended position, a bar 7 extends the length of the receptacle medially of the underside of top 2,'and said bar is cut away at its central portion to receive a brace 8 which is pivoted at its center on pin 9 so that the brace may either lie within the bar 7 or be so as to leave the "pieces 27 are swung transversely of the receptacle to pro-v ect'beyond opposite sides of top 2 and thereby form a support for the folding table leaves.

The legs of the table are shownat 10, and are removably projected through guide ,loops 11 on the'inner surfaces of end pieces 1 and at the respective sides of bar 7, so

that the upper ends ofthe legs which are cut to the proper angle as shown at 12, will fit snugly in the angles formed by the sides of bar 7 and 'theunderside of top'2, with said ends of the legs preferably guided in channels formed by strips 13 on the sides of bar 7 in slightly spaced relation from the ends 1.

The lower ends of the legs will thus project beyond the sides of the table at its re spective ends to form a sturdy and rigid construction, and the legs are preferably braced by bars 14 detachably connecting the legs at each end ofthe table. Each bar 14 is pivoted to the innerside of a leg at one side of the table as shown at 15, so that the bar may be swung across to the leg at the opposite side ofthe table for detachable connection theretoby a bayonet slot 16 in the swinging end of the brace adapted to en gage a stud 17 which projects from the in- "lQISlClB of said opposite table leg.

The brace bars are so positioned that when *n use they will lie in grooves 18 extending 1 acrossthebottom 3 in order to brace the construction longitudinally as well as transversely; and in order that the brace bars will not cause excessive wear of the walls of ;he grooves, protector plates 1.9'may be fixed around the ends of the grooves with cars 20 of said plates bent to extend along the sides of the grooves.

Benches for the table are mounted on the transversely projecting legs 10, and for this purpose brackets 25are fixed on the respective legs sothat seat boards 26 may have their ends supported on the longitudinally spaced brackets at each side of the table.

The seat boards are preferably shiftable toward and away from the table for convenience in seating and use of the table, and as an instance of this arrangement channel slidable along the horizontal arms of brackets'25, with the ends of the seat boards mounted on said channel pieces. The ends of the seat boards are detachably fixed to the channel pieces, as for example by pins 28 projecting from the underside of .:boa'rds 26. ICamp' chairs are thusform'ed' at be'used as-a smalltableforarticlesiwhich it Y the ends 'ofithez-boards adjacent lZhBfTeSPEC- tive sides thereof and adapted to be received in cooperating recesses 29 provided-1n suitable strips 30 whichiearetfixed:on-therchannel ,1

pieces.

The entire table may thus be assembled Without the use of tools, and forms a rigid construction with benchesat'thesides of the table and a tray formed by bottom 3 beneath the. table and readily: accessible through the openings 'abo ve theside pieces 4.

W/Vhen'it is"desired'to use the device "as camp. chairs rather than atable, braceP'S is swung :back intozthea'ecess inibar'i so that the leaves '5' may 'befolded down against the legs IO; and the'angular di'sposition of'the legs. fixes theifolded' leaves-at a rearward inclination as shown iniFigrQ sothat the leaves.

provide comfortable bucks *for :the seat each side of.the. top2,"which latter may still is desired tohave conveniently ;at hand.

When the entire device as to be folded for transportation, the seat boards 26 'areremov'ed from thechann'el 'pieces 27, and the bayonet slot connections 'I617 are-released so that'the braces 'l'may be folded alongthe legs to whiclrtl'iey arepivoted;andiallof the legs are then removed byWithdraWing them from theguideloops l1. n Y

The box-like receptacle forming the main portion of the structure is of" a size to con- "veniently receivethe legs l0 and thebench boards :26; and still'leave a large spacewithin the receptacle'which may be usedfor storing cooking and eating utensils, etc. ;."and after the receptacle" is packed and the brace 8 is swung to inoperative"position-within"the bar 7 ,1 the leaves 5' are swung"down 'toiclose the "sides ofthe receptacleand are'preferably secured by latches35 onthe side piecess.

A handle 361may be provided on the bottom '3 so that the closedreceptacl'e' which is thusformed may be convenientlytransported and carried on theirunning'board of an automobile or" the like .and the folded construction provides not only a selfcontained table but a sturdy andIhandy.container for other camping equipment.

I'cla1m:

1. "A device Of IthQ character descrlbed comprising a box-like: receptacle including a closed base and upwardly progectmg side Walls partially enclosingthe sides of the 'receptacle to form astorage space,.snpporting ilegs projecting'from' the interior ofthe receptacle above 'its' partially enclosed sides and adaptedfor removal and storage in the receptacle, the underside of v thebase "beingtransversely recessed, and braces engageable against the llegs and legs and -form "backs' for'the seats.

insaid transverse recesses aald detachably connecting the legs at opposite sides of the receptacle.

:2. A device 1 of the character described comprising a box-like receptacle having a closed base and top and sides adapted to swing open, means for releasably supporting thesldes in open: position inthe plane of the top of the receptacle to form a table top,

supporting legs 'removably insert-able inoperative 'pos ion "in the: receptaclethroughfthe open sides of the same so as t-mpr-ject one wardly and downwardly from *the of the recepta'clanrfd seats removably sup-Z ported on the legs; the sides of the receptacle bein' r ada ited to swin downwardl -u onreto b lease of their supporting means-so asito rrest agamst the legsand form backs for the' seats,

' the seats andlegs beingadapted forestorage in the receptacle wh'enftransportmg the same. I 3.1K device of the character idescrlbed comprising a box-like receptacle 'l1aving 'sides H adapted to swing open, meansi for.'releasably" supporting the sides in'open position in the plane of the top of .the' receptacle?to-form a table top, supporting legs projecting "out Nv'ardly and Xilownwardly from the interi-orof the receptacle atthe sidesDi -the same,and

frame, and seats on said legs the'supporting legs projecting outwardly and downwafdly from the sides 'of the frame in position whereby the swinging sides are adapted-to swingdownwardlyrso as .to' rest the 5. "A device of the character "described COlHPElSIHg a. frameforming a top and 'havping sides adapted to swing upwardly into the plane of the top, supporting legs for "the frame, brackets on ,the' legs, "connecting means shiftable along the*braickets"foriadj'u'stmen't toward'an'd away from the top,- and seats 'r'emovably' "mounted on? the'conne'cting 'm'eans the supporting legspprojecting ont- M wardlyand downwardly from .thesidesof 115 the frame in position'whereby'ithe" swinging sides are adapted toswing downwardly so as to restagamst the legs andtformbacks for the seats.

H In testimony I whereofT havealfixed my H20 signature to th1sspec1fication.

T-HENRY heme 

